Fluid control device for laundry machines

ABSTRACT

A suds-saver device for use with laundry machines having a pump for emptying suds water to a storage reservoir and rinse water to the drain. The device includes a transverse slide operatively connected to a valve to first direct suds water, under pump pressure, to the reservoir and operable, by the pressure of the suds water, to automatically position the valve to subsequently direct rinse water to the drain. When the slide is returned to its first position, actuation of the pump in the reverse direction causes the suds water to return to the machine.

United States Patent [54] FLUID CONTROL DEVICE FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 137/109, 137/112, 137/119, 137/610, l37/625.44 [51] int. CL ..D06i41/00, D06f39/08,G05d 7/06 [50] Field ofSearch 137/610,

2,844,942 7/1958 Reynolds 137/624.27

3,227,175 1/1966 Remington 137/62544 3,425,437 2/1969 Knerr 137/119 FORElGN PATENTS 68,796 12/1955 France 137/6242? Primary Examiner-William F. ODea Assistant Examiner- William H. Wright Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan and Kurucz ABSTRACT: A suds-saver device for use with laundry machines having a pump for emptying suds water to a storage reservoir and rinse water to the drain. The device includes a transverse slide operatively connected to a valve to first direct suds water, under pump pressure, to the reservoir and operable, by the pressure of the suds water, to automatically posh tion the valve to subsequently direct rinse water to the drain.

[56] References Cited When the slide is returned to its first position, actuation of the UNITED STATES PATENTS pump in the reverse direction causes the suds water to return 2,862,518 12/1958 McAlvay 137/624.27 to the machine.

i I I Q 5 c- T/ O A I i I, 1 l I 1 4 l I I l .2 I 1 PATENTEUJULHIQTI 3 592 214 SHEET 3 0F 3 ATTORN EYf FLUID CONTROL DEVICE FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a fluid control device for laundry machines and more particularly to a suds water saving control device for laundry machines.

Suds water saving control arrangements are employed in laundry machines to provide for the economical reusage of the suds water for several washing operations, the suds water being evacuated from the laundry machine for storage in a reservoir after each washing operation, and subsequently transferred from the reservoir to the machine for reuse in a new laundry operation.

Various known suds water saver controls are expensive and complicated and employ components, such as electrical solenoid-operated valves or pivotal tubes or hoses. Devices of this type are normally actuated by floats responsive to the suds water level in the storage reservoir, and are operable to automatically control the flow of suds water to the reservoir for reuse and thereafter the flow of used rinse water to a drain. In addition, such controls are frequently built into and form an integral component of the laundry machine, and usually they require a multiplicity of pumps and valves in the performance of their function.

The present invention contemplates as one of its objectives the provision of a new and improved simplified suds water saving control device for laundry machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved suds water saving control device employing a valveoperating mechanism controllable by the fluid pressure of the suds water flowing to a storage reservoir and wherein the mechanism is automatically conditioned to operate the valve and subsequently direct rinse water to a drain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a suds water control adapted for use as an accessory in conjunction with any automatic laundry machine.

Another object is the provision of a suds water fluid control device which is designed to be easily operable by a housewife by merely translating a slide between two fixed positions. Still another object is the provision of a design for a device of the described type which is adapted to internally house the various moving levers and springs in order to present a pleasing external appearance as well as avoid possible damage to the device or injury to the user.

The above objects and advantages are achieved in the illustrated embodiment of the invention by the provision of a new and improved suds water saving system having a two-way diverter valve; a transverse slide operatively connected to the valve and releasably holding the valve to direct suds water from a laundry machine to a reservoir, the slide being releasable to effect movement of the valve to direct rinse water to a drain; a hydraulically operated device controlling the position of the slide and responsive to the fluid pressure of suds water pumped to the reservoir to effect release of the slide to move the valve to its drain position upon completion of suds water transfer to a storage reservoir.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the improved suds water saving control device illustrating its use in conjunction with a laundry machine and storage reservoir and drain sink;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are top and side views of the control device, partly broken away, illustrating the relative position of the valve, control slide, and the hydraulically operated components of the device at the initiation of flow of suds water from the laundry machine;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and side views of the control device, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but illustrating the position of the various components during full flow of suds water from the laundry machine;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are top and side views of the controldevice, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but illustrating the position of the various components at the conclusion of the suds water discharge operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is schematically illustrated an automatic washing, rinsing and drying machine indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The machine comprises a tub or container 11, a clothes-containing basket 12,'an agitator 13, a transmission 14 for oscillating the agitator and rotating the basket, and a reverse drive motor 15 connected to the transmission. The motor 15 is also connected to a pump 16 operable during the wash-agitate operationof the machine, to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to pump the suds water toward the tub through a hose 17 connected to the sump or outlet 18 of the tub and to the pump. During the suds water extraction period, the motor is reversed and the pump rotates in a clockwise direction to pump the suds water from the tub, via outlet 18, and through a hose 19. During the subsequent rinse period, fresh water is supplied to the tub and the agitator is oscillated by the transmission, the motor rotating in a counterclockwise direction to pump the rinsewater toward the tub. After sufficient time has elapsed to insure thorough rinsing of the clothes, the motor is reversed to rotate the pump, the container, and the transmission in a clockwise direction, the pump operating to evacuate the rinse water from the tub for flow through the hose 19.

The automatic washing machine 10 is generally of the type described and claimed in detail in US. Pat. No.'3,269,153 entitled Automatic Washer and issued Aug. 30, 1966, and reference may be had to this patent for a detailed description of the washing machine structure.

It is desirable to save the suds water, after the first batch of clothes has been washed, for additional clothes-washing operations of the machine, while providing for the flow of rinse water to a drain. For this purpose, a stationary tub 20 is divided by a partition 21 to provide sinks 22 and 23 connected to a common drain tube 24, the sink 22 being plugged to prevent discharge of water to the tube 24 and thus provide a suds water storage reservoir, while the sink 23 is in fluid communication with the drain tube 24 for flow of rinse water to a sewer.

The suds water saver control device, to which the present invention relates, is indicated generally in the drawing by the reference numeral 25. The control device is designed to be employed as an accessory for conventional nonsuds saver automatic washing machines and, for this purpose, is mounted on the tub 20 by a bracket clamp (not shown) in a manner to dispose two discharge spouts 27 and 28 of the device in positions wherein the spout 27 is located to discharge into the drain sink 23 and the spout 28 into a hose 29 extending downwardly into the suds water storage sink 22. The control device is also provided with tubular portion forming a spout 30 disposed exteriorly of the tub 20 and extending downwardly for connection to the hose 19.

The spout 30 terminates in a transverse flange 31 which is adapted to be sealingly connected to the valve body 32 by conventional means. The spout 30 and body 32 include aligned bearings 33 and 34, respectively, which are designed to receive the flapper shaft 35. A flapper valve 36 is fixedly mounted to the shaft 35 and is rotatable between a first position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4) closing the spout 27, and a second position (shown in FIG. 6) closing the spout 28. A spring 37 is mounted about the external surface of the bearing 34 and is adapted to engage the lever arm 38 to bias the valve to its second position.

The valve body 32 includes a central chamber 40 connecting the spout 30 to the two discharge spouts 27 and 28, and a fluid pressure chamber 42 connected to the central chamber by an orifice r bleed hole 43. A flexible circular diaphragm 44 forms the upper surface of the chamber 42 and is sealingly connected thereto by the overlying cap 46.

The suds water saver device is provided with a control arrangement for operation of the two-way valve 36 so that the valve can be automatically operated to discharge suds water into the reservoir 22, to discharge rinse water into the drain sink 23, and to return the suds water to the washing machine. For this purpose, a manually operated slide 50 having a finger grip 51 is operative to first rotate the valve 36 to close the drain spout 27 so that suds water will flow through the spout 28 into the reservoir 22. The valve 36 is releasably held in this suds water saving position against the bias of spring 37 by a trigger mechanism hereinafter further described. The pressure of the suds water pumped through the spout 28 into the storage sink is operative to condition the trigger mechanism to automatically release the valve 36 for rotation to its drain position (FIG. 6) when pressure drops at the completion of transfer of the suds water from the washing machine tub to the storage sink.

More particularly, the slide 50 is mounted for translation along the upper surface of cap 46 between a first or cocked position (FIGS. 2 and 4) and a second or free position (FIG. 6). A spring 52 is connected between the slide 50 and lever arm 38 such that translation of the slide to its first position rotates the valve 36 against the bias of spring 37 to close spout 27 and open spout 28. The presence of the spring 52 acts to insure a tight seating of the valve 36 in its first position.

The slide 50 is releasably retained in its first position against the bias of spring 37 by a trigger mechanism which includes a plunger 54 mounted through an aperture in the cap 46 positioned along the path of travel of the slide. The plunger is adapted to reciprocate between a lower free position (FIGS. 3 and 7) and a raised position (FIG. 5), the spring 55 acting to urge the plunger to its free position A lever 56 is rotatably connected at the upper end of the plunger and is adapted to look behind a forward detent 58 on the slide 50 when the slide is moved to its first position. The lever 56 normally assumes an upright position to engage the detent 58, this upright positioning being caused by the spring 55 urging the plunger 54 downwardly such that the engagement between the lever 56 and upper surface of the cap 46 tends to rotate the lever counterclockwise as seen in the drawings.

When the slide is drawn to its first position, the device is ready to direct the suds water from the washer tub to the reservoir 22. During this flow, the water will pass through the orifice 43 and into the pressure chamber 42. The resulting fluid pressure in the chamber 42 will cause the flexible diaphragm 44 to be raised to the position shown in FIG. 5, which in turn causes the plunger 54 to be lifted to its raised position. As the plunger 54 is lifted, the lever 56 is rotated clockwise to an intermediate transverse position such that the shoulder 60 of the lever engages the rear detent 59 (note FIG. 5). By design, there is a continuous engagement between the lever 56 and the detents on the slide 50 during this upward movement of the plunger. Thus the slide 50 is prevented from translating to its second position.

When the discharge of suds water to the reservoir has been completed, the fluid pressure in the chamber 42 dissipates to permit the diaphragm and plunger 54 to return to their lower positions. During this movement, the lever 56 is disengaged from the rear detent 59 freeing the slide for return to its second position as seen in FIG. 7. The valve 36 is thereby rotated to close the reservoir spout 28 and open the drain spout 27. Thus the subsequent discharge of rinse water from the washer will be automatically directed to the drain.

The slide 50 is further provided with a release button 62 positioned between the two detents 58 and 59. As seen in FIG. 3, the engagement of the lever 56 behind the first detent 58 causes the button 62 to be slightly raised. Should the housewife desire to reset the device to discharge the suds water to the drain rather than the reservoir, she need only depress the button 62 to disengage the lever 56 from the slide.

To increase the fluid pressure in the chambers 40 and 42 during the initial suds water discharge, a restriction (not shown) may be positioned in the reservoir spout 28. This may conveniently be accomplished by reducing the diameter of the spout 28 in relation to spout 30.

It will be apparent that, when the suds water is to be removed from the storage sink 22 to the washer tub for a new laundry operation, the slide 50 is again translated to its first operation as shown in FIG. 2. The rotation of the pump 16 in a counterclockwise direction will provide a sucking action to withdraw the suds water from the reservoir to the washer tub 11. By reason the of restriction in spout 28, the fluid pressure in the chamber 42 is normally not sufficient to raise the plunger 54. Thus the returning suds water does not release the slide 50.

To provide a pleasing external appearance, a top plate 64 may be mounted to overlie the entire device. In the illustrated embodiment, the top plate 64 includes a slot 65 to expose the upper portion of the slide 50 and to permit the translation thereof. The plate 64 also serves as a convenient surface to position operating instructions for the device. For example, the designation drain position" may be written on the plate above the arrow A to indicate that the drain spout is open when the finger grip 51 on the slide is adjacent the arrow A. Similarly, the designation save or return" may be placed at arrow B to indicate that the finger grip 51 should be aligned with this arrow when suds water is to be saved and when suds water is to be returned to the machine. A designation such as pull to set" may be positioned along arrow C.

While'a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described in some detail herein, it should be understood that various modifications will readily occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined from that of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A fluid control device operable to automatically direct a first discharge of fluid to a first outlet and a subsequent discharge of fluid to a second outlet, said device comprising:

a translatable slide operably connected to a valve, said slide and valve acting to open said first outlet and close said second outlet when said slide is in a first position, and acting to open said second outlet and close said first outlet when said slide is in a second position;

resilient means to urge said slide from its first to its second position;

means to restrain said slide in its first position prior to and during the said first discharge of fluid, said restraining means including a detent on said slide, means to engage said detent when said slide is in its first position, said engaging means comprising a plunger mounted along the path of translation of said slide and being adapted to reciprocate between a free position removed from said slide and a raised position adjacent said slide, means to resiliently urge said plunger to its free position, means responsive to the pressure of said first discharge of fluid to move said plunger to its raised position, and means operatively associated with said plunger adapted to continuously lock behind said detent when said plunger is in its free position, during movement of said plunger from its free to its raised position, and while in its raised position;

and means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure at the termination of said first discharge of fluid to release said restraining means, whereby said resilient means causes said slide to translate to its second position.

4.2. The fluid control device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operatively associated with said plunger to lock behind said detent comprises a lever rotatably connected at the end of said plunger adjacent said slide, said lever including cam means causing said lever to assume a generally upright position when said plunger is in its free position and a generally transverse position when said plunger is in its raised position, said lever having abutment means to engage said detent when said lever is in its upright position, during rotation of said lever from its upright to its transverse position, and when said lever is in its transverse position.

3. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure to release said slide-restraining means comprises:

means to retain said lever in its transverse position during return of said plunger from its raised to its free position, whereby the loss of fluid pressure permits said plunger to reciprocate to its free position such that said abutment means no longer engages said detent.

4. The fluid control device as defined in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to the pressure of said first discharge of fluid to move said plunger to its raised position comprises a flexible diaphragm, one surface of said diaphragm being mounted in said device for contact with said fluid and the opposite surface positioned adjacent said plunger, whereby the said first discharge of fluid causes said diaphragm to move against and raise said plunger. 1

5. The fluid control device as defined in claim 4 further including a release mechanism associated with said slide and operable to disengage said lever from said detent when said lever is in its upright position.

6. In a laundry machine having a fluid container, a conduit connected to said container and having a first outlet directed to a fluid storage reservoir and a second outlet directed to a drain, reversible pump means operable to pump fluid through said conduit, and a valve positioned in said conduit and having a first position to direct fluid through said first outlet and a second position to direct fluid through said second outlet, the improvement therein of control means for said valve comprising:

resilient means to urge said valve from its first to its second position,

a slide operatively connected to said valve and axially translatable between a cocked position retaining said valve in its first position and a free position retaining said valve in its second position, means to restrain said slide in its cocked position including a detent on said slide, means to engage said detent including a plunger mounted along the path of translation of said slide, said plunger being adapted to reciprocate between a lower position removed from said slide and a raised position adjacent said slide, means responsive to fluid pressure in said conduit to move said plunger to its raised position, and means operatively associated with said plunger to lock behind said detent and thereby retain said slide in its cocked position when said plunger is in its lower position, during movement of said plunger from its lower to its raised position, and while in its raised position,

and means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure in said conduit to move said plunger to its lower position to thereby release its engagement with said detent, whereby said slide is translated from its cocked to its free position and said valve is moved from its first to its second position.

7. The laundry machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said means operatively associated with said plunger to lock behind said detent comprises a lever rotatably connected at the end of said plunger adjacent said slide, said lever including cam means causing said lever to assume a generally upright position when said plunger is in its lower position and a generally transverse position when said plunger is in its raised position, said lever further including abutment means to engage said detent when said lever is in its upright position, during rotation of said lever from its upright to its transverse position, and when said lever is in its transverse position.

8. The laundry machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure to move said plunger to its lower position and thereby release said slide comprises:

means to resiliently urge said plunger toward its lower position,

and means to retain said lever in its transverse position during return of said plunger from its raised to its lower position, whereby said abutment means on said lever no longer engages said detent.

9. The laundry machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said means responsive to fluid pressure in said conduit to move said plunger to its raised position comprises a flexible diaphragm, one surface of said diaphragm being mounted for contact with said fluid in said conduit and the opposite surface positioned adjacent the lower end of said plunger, whereby the fluid pressure causes said diaphragm to move against and raise said plunger.

10. The laundry machine as defined in claim 9 further including a release mechanism associated with said slide and operable to disengage said lever from said detent when said lever is in its upright position.

11. The laundry machine as defined in claim 10 wherein said valve is a flapper rotatably mounted on a shaft, said valve being rotatable between its first position to block said second outlet and its second position to block said first outlet.

12. The laundry machine as defined in claim 11 wherein the connection between said slide and said valve includes a lever arm mounted to said shaft and a resilient spring mounted between the end of said lever arm and one end of said slide, whereby translation of said slide rotates said valve.

13. The laundry machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said slide includes a raised finger grip to facilitate the translation thereof. 

1. A fluid control device operable to automatically direct a first discharge of fluid to a first outlet and a subsequent discharge of fluid to a second outlet, said device comprising: a translatable slide operably connected to a valve, said slide and valve acting to open said first outlet and close said second outlet when said slide is in a first position, and acting to open said second outlet and close said first outlet when said slide is in a second positIon; resilient means to urge said slide from its first to its second position; means to restrain said slide in its first position prior to and during the said first discharge of fluid, said restraining means including a detent on said slide, means to engage said detent when said slide is in its first position, said engaging means comprising a plunger mounted along the path of translation of said slide and being adapted to reciprocate between a free position removed from said slide and a raised position adjacent said slide, means to resiliently urge said plunger to its free position, means responsive to the pressure of said first discharge of fluid to move said plunger to its raised position, and means operatively associated with said plunger adapted to continuously lock behind said detent when said plunger is in its free position, during movement of said plunger from its free to its raised position, and while in its raised position; and means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure at the termination of said first discharge of fluid to release said restraining means, whereby said resilient means causes said slide to translate to its second position.
 3. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure to release said slide-restraining means comprises: means to retain said lever in its transverse position during return of said plunger from its raised to its free position, whereby the loss of fluid pressure permits said plunger to reciprocate to its free position such that said abutment means no longer engages said detent.
 4. The fluid control device as defined in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to the pressure of said first discharge of fluid to move said plunger to its raised position comprises a flexible diaphragm, one surface of said diaphragm being mounted in said device for contact with said fluid and the opposite surface positioned adjacent said plunger, whereby the said first discharge of fluid causes said diaphragm to move against and raise said plunger.
 5. The fluid control device as defined in claim 4 further including a release mechanism associated with said slide and operable to disengage said lever from said detent when said lever is in its upright position.
 6. In a laundry machine having a fluid container, a conduit connected to said container and having a first outlet directed to a fluid storage reservoir and a second outlet directed to a drain, reversible pump means operable to pump fluid through said conduit, and a valve positioned in said conduit and having a first position to direct fluid through said first outlet and a second position to direct fluid through said second outlet, the improvement therein of control means for said valve comprising: resilient means to urge said valve from its first to its second position, a slide operatively connected to said valve and axially translatable between a cocked position retaining said valve in its first position and a free position retaining said valve in its second position, means to restrain said slide in its cocked position including a detent on said slide, means to engage said detent including a plunger mounted along the path of translation of said slide, said plunger being adapted to reciprocate between a lower position removed from said slide and a raisEd position adjacent said slide, means responsive to fluid pressure in said conduit to move said plunger to its raised position, and means operatively associated with said plunger to lock behind said detent and thereby retain said slide in its cocked position when said plunger is in its lower position, during movement of said plunger from its lower to its raised position, and while in its raised position, and means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure in said conduit to move said plunger to its lower position to thereby release its engagement with said detent, whereby said slide is translated from its cocked to its free position and said valve is moved from its first to its second position.
 7. The laundry machine as defined in claim 6 wherein said means operatively associated with said plunger to lock behind said detent comprises a lever rotatably connected at the end of said plunger adjacent said slide, said lever including cam means causing said lever to assume a generally upright position when said plunger is in its lower position and a generally transverse position when said plunger is in its raised position, said lever further including abutment means to engage said detent when said lever is in its upright position, during rotation of said lever from its upright to its transverse position, and when said lever is in its transverse position.
 8. The laundry machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said means responsive to the loss of fluid pressure to move said plunger to its lower position and thereby release said slide comprises: means to resiliently urge said plunger toward its lower position, and means to retain said lever in its transverse position during return of said plunger from its raised to its lower position, whereby said abutment means on said lever no longer engages said detent.
 9. The laundry machine as defined in claim 8 wherein said means responsive to fluid pressure in said conduit to move said plunger to its raised position comprises a flexible diaphragm, one surface of said diaphragm being mounted for contact with said fluid in said conduit and the opposite surface positioned adjacent the lower end of said plunger, whereby the fluid pressure causes said diaphragm to move against and raise said plunger.
 10. The laundry machine as defined in claim 9 further including a release mechanism associated with said slide and operable to disengage said lever from said detent when said lever is in its upright position.
 11. The laundry machine as defined in claim 10 wherein said valve is a flapper rotatably mounted on a shaft, said valve being rotatable between its first position to block said second outlet and its second position to block said first outlet.
 12. The laundry machine as defined in claim 11 wherein the connection between said slide and said valve includes a lever arm mounted to said shaft and a resilient spring mounted between the end of said lever arm and one end of said slide, whereby translation of said slide rotates said valve.
 13. The laundry machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said slide includes a raised finger grip to facilitate the translation thereof. 